Government Services Minister Bill Shorten had a personal speechwriter on a $300,000-a-year contract for two years, a Senate hearing was told.
The committee heard that government agency Services Australia awarded an “experienced” and “versatile” communications professional a one-year, $300,000 contract to write speeches for Mr Shorten, which was later extended to two years.
Services Australia deputy chief executive Susie Smith, who did not confirm the cost of the deal, said the agency had not prepared any speeches for the minister “in the last 12 months”.
Bill Shorten hired the speechwriter for a whopping $300,000 a year for two years even though he already had staff in his department who could do the job.
Liberal senator Linda Reynolds questioned why Mr Shorten, who has access to senior department staff to prepare speeches, would need a speechwriter.
—Do you know why this additional $600,000 contract was needed? Senator Reynolds asked.
“I can’t answer that,” Mrs. Smith replied.
Liberal senator Maria Kovacic said it “appears” Shorten had personally requested the speechwriter even though the agency had 201 staff in its communications unit, including speechwriters.
Liberal senator Maria Kovacic said it “appears” Shorten had personally solicited the speechwriter.
Linda Reynolds told the Senate estimates hearing that she was “in the wrong game,” referring to the speechwriter’s pay package.
He said it was “unbelievable” after Ms Smith confirmed the typical salary for a speechwriter considered among the “best of the best” was about $140,000 a year.
—To your knowledge, has the department ever suggested to a minister that he should go out and get a $300,000-a-year contract for a speechwriter to help him? Senator Kovacic asked.
“Not that I know of,” said Mrs. Smith.
“We are clearly in the wrong business,” Senator Reynolds later exclaimed.
Opposition spokesman for reducing government waste, James Stevens, slammed Mr Shorten for hiring Julieanne Stewart.
Julianne Stewart hired by Services Australia to write Mr Shorten’s speeches
He said the department’s website showed Shorten had given 28 speeches since taking office in 2022.
“If Ms. Stewart wrote each of these speeches, it would equate to more than $22,000 per speech,” Mr. Steven said.
“Australians struggling to pay their ever-increasing mortgages, rents, electricity and grocery bills would be appalled that their government was spending their taxpayers’ money in this way.”
A spokesperson for Shorten’s office has been contacted for comment.
